Sealing arrangement for shaft and tunnel construction

ABSTRACT

A sealing arrangement for shaft and tunnel construction. The elastic tension forces that arise when the sealing systems are pressed against each other by reducing the joint clearance, after the systems have been brought into contact with each other, are reduced or completely avoided relative to prior art, and the required surface contact pressure is achieved by means of a self-sealing force effect of the media pressure. In order to achieve the force effect, the geometry of the sealing elements of the sealing system is designed such that the elements comprise pressure surfaces relative to a vacuum or atmosphere after contacting each other. A differential pressure acts on the pressure surfaces, resulting in the force ensuring the required surface contact pressure on the surface, by means of which the sealing elements contact one another at the contact plane.

The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for shaft and tunnelconstructions.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Each body that is assembled from single monolithic components hascontact joints. This applies, for example, for shaft end tunnelconstructions, which consist of precast elements (lining segments). Forexample, in case that a tunnel construction shall be constructed andused under groundwater level, there is a need for water tightness of thewhole construction. For a construction consisting of a plurality ofprefabricated individual parts not only the requirement for watertightness of the monolithic components arises but also that of thesealing of the contact joints between the components against thehydrostatic pressure.

High demands are made on corresponding sealing systems. A closerinspection reveals that these demands change with the advancingconstruction phase of e.g. a tunnel construction. Therefore, the sealingsystems must be able to fulfill their sealing function in differentsealing situations and sealing phases. In terms of time there are, forexample, different demands (1) during the assembly of the components,(2) during the fluidic bedding of the components and (3) during thesolid bedding of the components.

Sealing arrangements for sealing constructive joints in tunnelconstructions made of prefabricated components (lining segments) aregenerally known, see e.g. DE 102005039253, DE 102005039056, U.S. Pat.No. 4,946,309, EP 0222968, EP 0441250 and EP 0995013. A sealing elementis glued into a groove circumferential around the abutting sides in aconstant distance from the outside surface of the lining segments. Thesealing effect of the sealing system is achieved after the assembly ofthe lining segments in that the sealing elements within the joints arecontacting each other mirror-symmetrically. The contact has to beeffected at least with a surface pressing power, which is greater thanthe pressure in the adjacent pressure medium. The desired surfacepressing power is adjusted by choosing the elastic compression behaviorof the two sealing elements depending on the displacement of thecompression.

Known sealing arrangements have several disadvantages. When, forexample, a non-compressible elastomer is chosen as material for thesealing elements the pressing force may increase enormously. In extremecases damages to the sealing arrangement and also the environment cannotbe excluded when the associated reaction forces in the component areconferred. Especially when several components contact each other withthe corner bodies of their sealing systems this results in leakages ordamages.

Under consideration of positioning errors between two components of thetunnel the mirror-symmetric arrangement of the sealing elements ispractically accidental. The contact of the two sealing elements thenonly takes place on a reduced bearing portion. Since the surfacepressing power is not independent of this bearing portion the danger ofa leakage is increased with the reduced pressing power.

In addition, the intended surface pressing power is reduced in case of asubsequent increase of the joint width, so that the danger of a leakageis hereby also increased.

The sealing elements in the contact joints of the tunnel shallpreferably have an unlimited lifetime. The technical requirement isdefined as a 100 years lifetime. In order to ensure the minimum requiredsurface pressing power for this long period the characteristic ofrelaxation of the materials has to be taken into account. The decline ofthe elastic tension forces (up to 40%) over time has to be accounted forby an increased starting tension when assembling the sealingarrangement. All of the already unwanted force reactions of the elastictension forces are increased accordingly.

The sealing arrangements according to the prior art only act singularly.A leakage inevitably leads to a leakage stream of surrounding medium,e.g. water, into the tunnel. The targeted localization of the leakage isproblematic in view of the wall thickness and the spreadingpossibilities in the contact joints of the components. A sanitization ofthe leakage can therefore not be performed locally on the inner side ofthe sealing system and always requires great efforts. With the meansknown in the prior art, however, redundant sealing systems can only berealized with great effort and in big tunnels.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve thesealing of joints between components of shaft and tunnel constructions,such that the disadvantages of the prior art are avoided, and inparticular a reliable sealing of shaft and tunnel constructions indifferent sealing situations and sealing phases and at a long lifetimeis achieved.

The problem is solved with the subject-matter according to claims 1 and10. Advantageous embodiments are given in the subclaims.

In a first aspect the invention provides a sealing arrangement for shaftand tunnel constructions comprising

a) at least two components lying against each other with abutting sidesso that between the components a joint is formed that connects a firstarea with a second area, the first area having a first medium with afirst medium pressure and the second area having a second medium with asecond medium pressure, wherein a pressure difference is present betweenthe first and second medium pressure, andb) at least one elastic sealing system at each of the abutting sides ofthe components for sealing the joint,characterized in that each of the sealing systems has at least onesealing element projecting to the joint, with which the sealing systemslie against each other on a contact plane, and wherein each of thesealing elements has at least one pressure area exposed to the mediumwith the higher medium pressure, so that a sealing force is appliedbetween the sealing elements at the contact plane, which is greater thanthe force applied without the pressure difference, and which generates acontact pressing, which is greater than the pressure difference.

In the sealing arrangement according to the invention the elastictension forces, which are generated when the sealing systems, after thesystems have been brought into contact with each other, are pressedagainst each other by reducing the joint width are reduced or avoidedcompletely compared to sealing arrangements of the prior art, and thenecessary surface pressing pressure is achieved by a self-sealing forceeffect of the medium pressure. In order to achieve this force effect thesealing elements of the sealing system are designed geometrically insuch a manner that they exhibit pressure areas against a low pressure orthe atmosphere after mutual contact. On these pressure areas adifferential pressures acts because of the pressure difference betweenthe media, resulting in the force securing the necessary surfacepressing pressure at the area, with which the sealing elements lie ateach other at the contact plane. In this manner, the pressing pressureis inevitably always adapted to the respective medium pressure andessentially independent from the joint width achieved after contact. Inorder to achieve the necessary contact pressing considerably smallerreaction forces are necessary. By adjusting the contact area, achievablefor example by the design of the sealing elements, also the contactpressing can be adjusted. Further, also a misalignment of the componentsdoes not change the quality of the sealing, because the contact does notdepend on the symmetry of the sealing elements.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the sealing element ispivotable or tiltable about a hinge. The term “hinge” as used hereinrefers to a region of the sealing system featuring or forming a staticcenter, around which the pivoting motion takes place and which itselfdoes, at least essentially, not participate in the pivoting motion. Inthe hinge region the deformation motions generated by the pivoting ortilting of the sealing element are comparatively small (near “zero”).The hinge region may have a reduced cross-section compared to theadjacent base body and/or sealing element and/or a softer material. Inpreferred embodiments the hinge connects the base body of the sealingsystem with the sealing element. The pivoting or tilting motion can bein the direction of the joint or in the opposite direction.

In the arrangement according to the invention the force component of thecontact pressing generated by a possible pretension of the sealingelement is as small as possible compared to the force component of thecontact pressing generated by the media differential pressure, i.e. thepressure difference between the media. Preferably the force component ofthe contact pressing generated by the media differential pressureis >50%, further preferred >60%, >70%, >80%, >85% or >90, especiallypreferred >95%, >96%, >97%, >98% or >99%.

The term “contact pressing” or “surface pressing power” as used hereinis to be understood as being the pressure at the contact area, i.e. thearea at which the sealing elements are contacting each other at thecontact plane. The term “pressure area” as used herein means any surfaceof the sealing system, in particular of the sealing elements, exposed tothe medium pressure.

In an especially preferred embodiment each of the sealing systems has abase body, with which the sealing system is attached to the component.The attachment can be achieved in many ways, for example by way ofadhesion, concrete encasement, force fitting, or by means of anchoringfeet.

In an especially preferred embodiment the elastic sealing systemconsists of elastomeric material.

The term “elastic” as used herein designates the characteristic of abody or a material to change its shape under the application of a forceand to revert to the original shape after removal of the acting force.As used herein, an elastic body is in particular to be understood asbeing a body having an elasticity modulus of 0.1 or lower, preferably0.01 to 0.1. An example of an elastic material is silicone rubber. Theterm “elastomeric material” as used herein refers to a rigid but elasticnatural or synthetic polymer, the glass transition point of which ispreferably below room temperature (25° C.). Examples for elastomericmaterials are ethylene propylene rubber (EPM), ethylene propylene dienerubber (EPDM), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), and nitrile butadienerubber (NBR).

Preferably each of the sealing systems has at least two sealing elementsprojecting to the joint with which the sealing systems lie against eachother at contact planes. The provision of two, three or more, and thusredundant, sealing elements provides enhanced sealing safety.

The sealing systems can be arranged in a groove circumferential aroundthe abutting sides of the components and/or at a bevel of the componentscircumferential around the abutting sides of the components.

The groove or bevel will not have to be disposed at a distance from theedge of the abutting sides of the components, but can also be arrangedat the edge of the abutting sides, in which case the sealing systems arearranged flush with the side surfaces of the components. Thus, leakagechannels are avoided, which otherwise would form and, in embodimentsaccording to the prior art, would additionally have to be sealed with afiller strip.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the sealing arrangementaccording to the invention a crack is present between the component andthe sealing element, which crack is open to the medium with the highermedium pressure. In another preferred embodiment a crack between thebase body and the sealing element is present, which crack is open to themedium with the higher medium pressure. The at least one sealing elementmay, for example, be arranged in a recess of the base body, or the basebody may be provided with a lip contacting the component. The mediumwith the higher medium pressure can enter the crack and thus exert arespective force effect on the sealing element leading to the pressingoperation of the sealing elements. In these embodiments the sealingelement may be designed in the form of a lip connected to the base bodyvia a hinge, the lip being pivotable around the hinge. In theseembodiments, the base body and the sealing element pivotable around thehinge form an essentially angulate form, the sealing element or thesealing lip being preferably angled in the direction of the area withthe higher medium pressure.

Preferably the sealing systems are each monolithically designed, thuseach forming a physical unit. Base body and sealing element preferablyform such a physical unit, and may consist e.g. of a single piece ofelastomeric material. Also in case of two or more sealing elements thesealing system is preferably designed monolithically. The redundancyalready mentioned may, for example, also be achieved by arranging two ormore sealing systems, which, for example, each possess a sealingelement, twice or multiple times in parallel, e.g. together in a grooveor at a bevel.

In a preferred embodiment the sealing systems are arranged generallymirror-symmetric to each other, i.e. mirror-symmetric in relation to thecontact plane.

In a further embodiment the sealing systems are designed generallywedge-shaped and are arranged at a bevel of the componentscircumferential around the abutting sides of the components. In thisembodiment the forces acting on the pressure area(s) of the sealingelement due to the medium pressure are redirected from the bevel indirection of the contact plane, such that a respective sealing force isgenerated.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method for sealing a jointbetween components of shaft and tunnel constructions, the jointconnecting a first area with a first medium and a second area with asecond medium, wherein

a) the components are each, at their abutting sides, equipped with anelastic sealing system, which has a sealing element projecting to thejoint,b) the sealing systems are, with their sealing elements, brought intocontact at a contact plane, andc) by means of a pressure difference, which is present or generatedbetween the first medium and the second medium, a force is exerted topressure areas of the sealing elements directed to one of the areas insuch a manner, that a sealing force is generated between the sealingelements at the contact plane, which is greater than the force generatedwithout the pressure difference, and which generates a contact pressinggreater than the pressure difference.

In a preferred embodiment of the method a sealing element is used thatis pivotable or tiltable about a hinge. The hinge may, for example, be aregion of the sealing system having a reduced cross-section or is madeof a softer material.

In the method of the invention it is preferred that the force componentof the contact pressing generated by the pressure difference is >50%,preferably >60%, >70%, >80%, >85% or >90, especiallypreferred >95%, >96%, >97%, >98% or >99%.

In the method of the invention it is preferred that the contact area,with which the sealing elements are brought in contact at the contactplane is smaller than the pressure area(s) exposed to the higher mediumpressure, wherein the ratio of the pressure area(s) to the contact areais preferably at least 2:1, further preferred at least 5:1, at least10:1, at least 20:1 or at least 30:1, and especially preferred at least50:1.

The sealing systems used in the method preferably have a base body andare attached to the component with this base body, for example byadhesion, concrete encasement, force fitting, or by means of anchoringfeet.

In the method of the invention sealing systems of elastomeric materialare preferably used.

Further, it is preferred to use sealing systems that have at least twosealing elements projecting to the joint with which the sealing systemsare brought into contact at contact planes.

In a preferred embodiment the sealing systems are arranged in a groovecircumferential around the abutting sides of the components and/or at abevel of the components circumferential around the abutting sides of thecomponents.

Further preferred, the sealing systems are arranged flush with the sidesurfaces of the components in a groove or bevel at the edge of theabutting sides of the components.

In the method of the invention a crack may be provided between thecomponent and the sealing element and/or between the base body and thesealing element, the crack being open to the medium with the highermedium pressure. The at least one sealing element may, for example, bearranged in a recess of the base body, or the lip of the base body canbe arranged between the sealing element and the component in such amanner, that a crack remains between the base body and the sealingelement, in which crack medium can enter.

It is preferred to use monolithically designed sealing systems.

It is especially preferred to arrange the sealing systems generallymirror-symmetric to each other.

In a further embodiment of the method of the invention sealing systemsare used that are designed generally wedge-shaped, and the sealingsystems are arranged at a bevel of the components circumferential aroundthe abutting sides of the components.

In a third aspect the invention also relates to a tunnel or shaftconstruction with a sealing arrangement according to the invention.

In the following, the invention is further exemplified by means offigures showing preferred embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 Schematic illustration of a part of a tunnel construction.

FIG. 2 Schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of thearrangement of the invention

FIG. 3 Detail of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 Partial views of cross sections through different embodiments ofthe arrangement of the invention.

FIG. 5 Partial views of cross-sections through further embodiments ofthe arrangement of the invention.

FIG. 6 Cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the arrangementof the invention.

FIG. 7 Cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the arrangement of theinvention according to FIG. 6 with minimum joint width.

FIGS. 8 to 10 Cross-sectional views of further embodiments of thearrangement of the invention.

FIG. 1 shows schematically a section of a tunnel construction 1 composedof individual components 2, e.g. ready-mix concrete components. Betweenabutting sides 3 of the components 2 joints 4 are formed connecting theouter area 5 with the inner area 6. The joints 4 are sealed with sealingsystems 7 not visible here.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross-section through an embodiment of thesealing arrangement 8 of the invention. Shown is a part of twocomponents 2 lying at each other with their abutting sides 3. Theabutting sides 3 of the components 2 are forming a joint 4 and each havea peripherally circumferential bevel 9, in which an elastic sealingsystem 7 is inserted. The elastic sealing system 7 can, for example,glued into a recess 14 of the components 2. Other fixing possibilities,for example concrete encasement, anchoring by means of an anchoring footetc. or combinations thereof are, of course, also possible. The sealingsystems 7, which are preferably made in one piece of an elastomericmaterial, are arranged mirror-symmetric in relation to a contact plane12 and have a base body 10 and a sealing element 11. The sealing element11 is connected with the base body 10 via a hinge region or a hinge 16and is tiltable or pivotable around the hinge 16, such that the sealingelements 11 are tilted or pivoted in the direction of the respectivebevels 9 when the distance between the abutting sides 3 is reduced, i.e.The joint with is reduced. The sealing elements 11 contact each other atthe contact plane 12 and bridge the joint 4 in this manner. The sealingsystems 7 are each attached with their base body 10 at the component 2.

The sealing system 7 serves the sealing of the joint 4, whereby thesealing of two areas 5, 6 on opposite sides of the sealing systems 7against each other is achieved.

The first area 5 may, for example, be the exterior and the second area 6the interior of a tunnel, both during the fluidic as well as the solidbedding of the tunnel. In both areas 5, 6 are different or, as the casemay be, also identical media 17, 18, which, however, exhibit differentpressures, such that a pressure difference is present between the firstmedium 17 in the first area 5 and the second medium 18 in the secondarea 6. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the first medium 17 in thefirst area 5, i.e. the outer medium, for example water and/or soil, hasa higher pressure than the second medium 18 in the second area 6, i.e.the inner medium, for example the atmosphere inside the tunnel. Themedium 17 with the higher pressure exerts a force on the pressure areas15 of the sealing elements 11, such that the sealing elements 11generate a sealing force at the contact plane 12 that is greater thanthe force that would be generated without the pressure difference, andthat generates a contact pressing that is greater than the mediadifferential pressure, i.e. the pressure difference between the media17, 18 (see in addition also FIG. 3). The sealing force is predominantlyor even completely, as the case may be, generated by the pressuredifference, and not or in any case not significantly by the elastictension forces due to the compression of the elastic sealing systems 7.In this way, a contact pressing is generated, which is independent fromthe joint width and the elastic pretension.

In FIG. 3 the principle underlying the sealing arrangement according tothe invention is schematically illustrated with the sealing arrangementshown in FIG. 2 as an example. For a better overview only half of thesealing arrangement 8 is depicted. Arrows symbolize the forces acting onthe sealing element 11. The arrows with solid arrowheads denote forcesexerted by the medium 17 with the higher medium pressure, arrows withopen arrowheads denote the forces exerted on the sealing element 11 bythe medium 18 with the lower medium pressure. The medium pressure of themedium 17, directly or indirectly after redirection at e.g. the bevel 9,here in the region of the joint 19 formed between component 2 and thesealing element 11, exerts forces on the pressure area(s) 15. Theresulting force in direction of the contact area 12 generates arespective contacting pressure at the contact area 12. Of course, theforce generated by the medium pressure depends on the pressure area(s)15 or the relation of the pressure area(s) 15 to the pressure areas 21,on which the pressure of the medium 18 with the lower pressure acts. Thegeometry of the sealing elements 11 is therefore chosen in such a waythat the product of the pressure area(s) 15 and the first mediumpressure is always greater than the product of the pressure area(s) 21and the second medium pressure.

FIG. 4 shows different variants and installation situations of sealingarrangements 8 of the invention. For reasons of better overview, againonly one half of the otherwise essentially mirror-symmetric arrangementsis depicted. The reference numerals used correspond to the ones alreadyused in FIGS. 1 to 3 and denote same or corresponding features, forwhich reason a repeated description is omitted and only deviating oradditional features are described in more detail. The sealingarrangement 8 shown in FIG. 4A essentially corresponds to that of FIGS.2 and 3, with the difference that the sealing element 11 has a morerounded contour. The sealing system 7 here is arranged peripherally,i.e. at the edge of the abutting sides 3 to the side surfaces 13 of thecomponents 2. In contrast, in FIG. 4B the installation of the sealingsystem 7 in a groove 23 being arranged spaced from the side surface 13of the component 2 is depicted. The sealing system 7 is, for example byadhesion, inserted with its base body 10 in a bevel 9 provided in thegroove 23. The sealing system 7 in FIG. 4C features an anchoring foot24, which engages a corresponding recess 23 of the component 2 or isencased in concrete. In the sealing system 7 shown in FIG. 4D the basebody 10 has a sealing lip 31 being formed by the provision of a chute 25in the base body 10. The chute 25 is connected to the crack 19 by meansof a connecting channel 26, so that medium 17 can enter here and providefor a reliable sealing between the base body 10 and the component 2 andpreclude a circulating leakage by exerting a corresponding pressure. Thesealing lip 31 provides its sealing function in the same way as thesealing element 11. The sealing lip 31 shown in FIG. 4D is in engagementwith a corresponding recess 32 and thus has also the function of ananchoring foot. This is, however, not necessary. Rather, also in thesealing arrangements shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B a corresponding chute25 may be provided, which is connected with the medium 17 via acorresponding connecting channel 26, so that the medium pressureprovides for the sealing lip 31 being pressed to the component 2.

FIG. 5 shows further embodiments and installation situations,respectively, of sealing arrangements 8 of the invention. For reasons ofbetter overview, here also only one half of the otherwise essentiallymirror-symmetric arrangements 8 is depicted. The base body 10 of thesealing system 7 is designed in such a way that a lip 22, wheninstalled, lies against the wall of the groove 23, 29 of the component2. The lip 22 and the sealing element 11 form a crack 19, in whichmedium 17 can enter. By means of the contact pressing of the lip 22 atthe component 2 a circulating leakage around the base body 10 isavoided. Base body 10 and sealing element 11 form an angular structure,the sealing element 11 is tiltable or pivotable around the hinge 16. Thesealing system 7 in FIGS. 5A and 5B is arranged in a groove 23 beingprovided in the abutting side 3 of the component 2 and spaced to theside surface 13 of the component 2. In contrast, the sealing system 7 inFIGS. 5C and 5D is arranged in a peripheral groove 29 open to the sidesurface 13 of the components 2. The lip 22 is flush with the sidesurface 13. In FIGS. 5A and 5C the contours of each the sealing elements11 directed to the medium 17 are designed rounded. In FIGS. 5B and 5Cthe sealing system 7 is arranged slightly set back in relation to theabutting side 3. This is a simple way to avoid that the sealing elements7 come to lie at each other with the whole area directed to the area 6or the medium 18.

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment of the sealing arrangement 8 of theinvention. The sealing arrangement 8 of this embodiment is provided in agroove 23 arranged spaced from the side surfaces 13 of the components 2in abutting sides 3 thereof. Here also, two sealing systems 7 arrangedmirror-symmetric in relation to the contact plane 12 are provided, whichcontact each other with their sealing elements 11 at the contact plane12. The sealing systems 7 are fixed in the groove 23 with their basebodies 10. The base body 10 exhibits a recess 28 in direction of thejoint 4, which recess 28 is designed in such a way that the sealingelement 11 pivotable around the hinge region 16 may be at leastpartially incorporated therein, such that the crack 19, which in thiscase is formed between the base body 10 and the sealing element 11, isnot sealed completely and the medium 17 with the higher medium pressurecan enter or remain in the crack 19 (see also FIG. 7). The mediumpressure generates a sealing contact pressing also on the attachmentside in the groove 23. In this figure an installation situation withmaximal joint width is depicted, i.e. the components 2 lie so close toone another with the abutting sides 3 that the sealing systems 7 justcontact each other with the sealing elements 11. Here, the sealingelements 11 are not pivoted in direction of the recess 28 of the basebody 10. In such an installation situation the sealing force 20 actingupon the contact plane 12 is generated and maintained completely by thepressure difference between the medium 17 and the medium 18.

In FIG. 7 the sealing arrangement 8 according to FIG. 6 is shown in aninstallation situation with minimal joint width. The abutting sides 3lie directly at each other with projections 27 serving as spacers. Thesealing elements 11 are pivoted around the hinge region 16, such thatthey are largely incorporated in the recess 28 of the base body 10. Thecrack 19 between the base body 10 and the sealing element 11, however,remains still open enabling the entry of the medium 17 with the highermedium pressure. This provides for the sealing elements 11 being pressedagainst each other at the contact plane 12. The corresponding design ofthe sealing systems 7 provides for the surfaces with which the sealingelements 11 lie at each other at the contact plane being as small aspossible, preferably smaller than the pressure areas 15. This leads to ahigher contact pressing at the contact plane 12. In this embodiment thesealing system 7 is designed in such a way that, in the region of thehinge region 16, it protrudes to a lesser extent into the joint 4 thanthe projections 27. The elastic force generated by the pivoting of thesealing elements 11 around the hinge region 16 is marginal in relationto the contact pressing generated by the media differential pressure.

FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the sealing arrangement 8 of theinvention, the sealing system 7 largely corresponding to the sealingsystem 7 described in FIGS. 6 and 7, with the difference, however, thatthe sealing systems 7 are arranged in grooves 29 at the edge of theabutting sides 3 of the components 2 and essentially flush with the sidesurfaces 13 of the components 2.

FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of the sealing arrangement 8 accordingto the invention, in which a redundancy of the sealing elements 11 isprovided. Each base body 10 of the sealing systems 7 has two sealingelements 11, which are arranged one after another in longitudinaldirection of the joint and are in contact with the opposite sealingelements 11 of the other sealing system 7 at the contact plane 12. Thesealing elements 11 can at least partly be incorporated in the recesses28 of the base bodies 10 while retaining the crack 19. The serialarrangement of two sealing elements 11 each increases the safety of thesealing. If a leakage occurs at the first barrier exposed to the medium17 with the higher medium pressure the further entry of the medium 17 isprevented by the second barrier. In the embodiment shown here twosealing elements are provided in each case at the base body. However,also three, four, five or more sealing elements 11 may be present. Thisdepends on the intended use and safety standards. The peripherallyarranged sealing arrangement 8 shown in FIG. 9 can, of course, also bearranged spaced from the edge, i.e. from the side surfaces 13 of thecomponents 2. It is, of course, also possible to arrange two ore moresealing systems 7 in series in order to achieve the desired redundancy.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of the sealing arrangement 8 of theinvention, in which the sealing system 7 has a conical form and the basebody 10 is attached to a bevel 9 of the components 2. This embodimentlacks a hinge region 16. The force exerted by the medium 17 on thepressure area(s) 15 is redirected via the bevel plane in direction ofthe contact plane 12, whereby a corresponding sealing force isgenerated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   1 tunnel construction-   2 component-   3 abutting side-   4 joint-   5 area-   6 area-   7 sealing system-   8 sealing arrangement-   9 bevel-   10 base body-   11 sealing element-   12 contact plane-   13 side surface-   14 recess-   15 pressure area-   16 hinge-   17 medium-   18 medium-   19 crack-   20 sealing force-   21 pressure area-   22 lip-   23 groove-   24 anchoring foot-   25 chute-   26 connecting channel-   27 projection-   28 recess-   29 groove-   30 contact area-   31 sealing lip-   32 recess

1. A sealing arrangement for shaft and tunnel constructions, comprisinga) at least two components (2) lying against each other with abuttingsides (3) so that between the components (2) a joint (4) is formed thatconnects a first area (5) with a second area (6), the first area (5)having a first medium (17) with a first medium pressure and the secondarea (6) having a second medium (18) with a second medium pressure,wherein a pressure difference is present between the first and secondmedium pressure, and b) at least one elastic sealing system (7) at eachof the abutting sides (3) of the components (2) for sealing the joint(4), wherein each of the sealing systems (7) has at least one sealingelement (11) projecting to the joint (4), wherein the sealing systems(7) lie against each other on a contact plane (12), and wherein each ofthe sealing elements (11) has at least one pressure area (15) exposed tothe medium (17) with the higher medium pressure, so that a sealing forceis applied between the sealing elements (11) at the contact plane (12),which is greater than the force applied without the pressure difference,and which generates a contact pressing, which is greater than thepressure difference.
 2. The sealing arrangement according to claim 1,wherein the sealing element (11) is pivotable or tiltable about a hinge(16).
 3. The sealing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the forcecomponent of the contact pressing generated by the pressure differenceis >50%, preferably >60%, >70%, >80%, >85% or >90, especiallypreferred >95%, >96%, >97%, >98% or >99%.
 4. The sealing arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the contact area (30), with which thesealing elements (11) lie against each other at the contact plane (12)is smaller than the pressure area(s) (15), wherein the ratio of thepressure area(s) (15) to the contact area (30) is preferably at least2:1, further preferred at least 5:1, at least 10:1, at least 20:1 or atleast 30:1, and especially preferred at least 50:1.
 5. The sealingarrangement according to claim 1, wherein each of the sealing systems(7) has a base body (10), with which the sealing system (7) is attachedto the component (2).
 6. The sealing arrangement according to claim 1,wherein the sealing systems (7) consist of elastomeric material.
 7. Thesealing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each of the sealingsystems (7) has at least two sealing elements (11) projecting to thejoint (4) with which the sealing systems (7) lie against each other atcontact planes (12).
 8. The sealing arrangement according to claim 1,wherein the sealing systems (7) are arranged in a groove (23)circumferential around the abutting sides (3) of the components (2)and/or at a bevel (9) of the components (2) circumferential around theabutting sides (3) of the components (2).
 9. The sealing arrangementaccording to claim 1, wherein the groove (23) or the bevel (9) arearranged at the edge of the abutting sides (3) and the sealing systems(7) are arranged flush with side surfaces (13) of the components (2).10. The sealing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein between thecomponent (2) and the sealing element (11) a crack (19) is present,which is open to the medium (17) with the higher medium pressure. 11.(canceled)
 12. The sealing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein thesealing systems (7) are monolithically designed.
 13. The sealingarrangement according to claim 1, wherein the sealing systems (7) arearranged generally mirror-symmetric to each other.
 14. The sealingarrangement according to claim 3, wherein the sealing systems (7) aredesigned generally wedge-shaped and are arranged at a bevel (9) of thecomponents (2) circumferential around the abutting sides (3) of thecomponents (2).
 15. A method for sealing a joint between components ofshaft and tunnel constructions, the joint connecting a first area with afirst medium and a second area with a second medium, wherein a) thecomponents are each, at their abutting sides, equipped with an elasticsealing system, which has a sealing element projecting to the joint, b)the sealing systems are, with their sealing elements, brought intocontact at a contact plane, and c) by means of a pressure difference,which is present or generated between the first medium and the secondmedium, a force is exerted to pressure areas of the sealing elementsdirected to one of the areas in such a manner, that a sealing force isgenerated between the sealing elements at the contact plane, which isgreater than the force generated without the pressure difference, andwhich generates a contact pressing greater than the pressure difference.16. The method according to claim 15, wherein a sealing element is usedthat is pivotable or tiltable about a hinge.
 17. The method according toclaim 15, wherein the force component of the contact pressing generatedby the pressure difference is >50%, preferably >60%, >70%, >80%, >85%or >90, especially preferred >95%, >96%, >97%, >98% or >99%.
 18. Themethod according to claim 15, wherein the contact area, with which thesealing elements are brought in contact at the contact plane is smallerthan the pressure area(s) exposed to the higher medium pressure, whereinthe ratio of the pressure area(s) to the contact area is preferably atleast 2:1, further preferred at least 5:1, at least 10:1, at least 20:1or at least 30:1, and especially preferred at least 50:1.
 19. (canceled)20. The method according to claim 15, wherein sealing systems are usedthat consist of elastomeric material.
 21. The method according to claim15, wherein sealing systems are used that have at least two sealingelements projecting to the joint with which the sealing systems arebrought into contact at contact planes. 22.-28. (canceled)
 29. A tunnelor shaft construction with a sealing arrangement according to claim 1.